Contact Form 7 Not Sending Emails? Here’s How to Fix It Fast
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Contact Form 7 Form Submitted but No Email? Here’s How to Know
- Root Causes Behind the Contact Form 7 not sending emails
- How to Check If Emails Are Actually Being Sent
- Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix the Contact Form 7 not Sending Emails
- Handling Gmail Issues and Preventing Future Email Failures
- Best SMTP Providers to Use for Contact Form 7
- Tips to Avoid Email Issues in the Future
- When to Seek Expert Help
- Conclusion
Introduction
One of the most popular WordPress plugins is Contact Form 7. It helps users create contact forms in just a few minutes. The plugin is simple, free, and highly flexible. However, it occasionally fails to send emails as intended.
The form may appear to have been submitted correctly. A success message is displayed to the user. However, the email is not received by the administrator. This issue is common, and many WordPress site owners face it. It can lead to lost leads and missed messages from customers. This hurts your business and damages trust.
If you rely on emails to follow up with users, this issue needs fixing. You may wonder, “Why is my Contact Form 7 not sending email?” Don’t worry — this guide will show you what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Contact Form 7 Form Submitted but No Email? Here’s How to Know
Certain clues can help you spot when something isn’t working right. These may not seem obvious at first, but they are easy to spot when you know what to look for:
- A success message appears after completing the form, but no email is sent.
- The admin inbox shows nothing, even after multiple submissions.
- Customers complain that they filled out your form but got no reply.
- You check your Gmail inbox — still nothing.
In short, the form says “Message Sent” but sends nothing at all.
Some users also report that Contact Form 7 mail is not receiving at all. Others say their Contact Form 7 form is not sending to admin even after checking settings. This causes confusion and wastes time.
If this sounds like your issue, you are not alone. Thousands of WordPress users deal with it daily. We’ll examine the reasons behind these emails’ failure in this piece. Finding the cause makes repairing it much simpler.
So let’s move forward and explore what’s happening behind the scenes — and how to stop losing important emails.
Root Causes Behind the Contact Form 7 not sending emails
Contact Form 7 works well for most websites. But when it fails to send emails, the cause is usually technical. Before trying to fix it, it’s helpful to understand what could be going wrong. Most problems are not caused by the plugin itself. Instead, they happen because of how WordPress handles email or how the server is set up.
Here are the most common reasons why Contact Form 7 isn’t sending emails:
- WordPress Uses PHP Mail Function by Default
WordPress sends emails using a function named wp_mail(). This function relies on the server’s PHP mail() service. Many shared hosting servers either block or limit this function.
In some cases:
- The email gets blocked by the host.
- The email is marked as spam before it leaves the server.
- The message never even reaches your inbox.
This is a major reason why Contact Form 7 email is not delivered.
- Incorrect Mail Settings Inside Contact Form 7
Sometimes, the issue is with how the form is set up. If the “To” or “From” fields are incorrect, emails will fail.
Here are a few mistakes people make:
- Using a Gmail address in the “From” field.
- Leaving the “To” field empty or using the wrong format.
- Not matching the domain name with the email address.
When these settings are wrong, email servers block the message. As a result, the Contact Form 7 form is not sending to admin.
- Your Emails Are Marked as Spam
Spam filters are aggressive, especially with free email providers like Gmail and Yahoo. If your form tries to send from an address like info@yourdomain.com, and that address is not verified, it could be flagged.
Some possible spam triggers:
- No proper subject line.
- HTML-heavy messages.
- Missing email headers.
That’s why many users report Contact Form 7 mail not receiving, even though the form says “sent.”
- Gmail Blocking the Message
A frequent problem is Contact Form 7 not delivering emails to Gmail. Gmail has strict email policies. If the form is sending from a non-Google server, Gmail may block it. This happens when:
- The email lacks proper authentication (SPF, DKIM).
- Gmail thinks the email is spoofed.
- Your server’s IP is blacklisted.
This means your form emails never reach your Gmail inbox.
- Hosting Provider Restrictions
Some web hosts restrict the number of emails you can send. Others block external recipients by default. On cheap or shared hosting plans, your email limits may be low.
These server restrictions can silently block Contact Form 7 emails. You won’t get a warning or error — the message just disappears.
- Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Other plugins may conflict with Contact Form 7. This can stop the email from sending properly. Security plugins, spam blockers, or outdated themes can interfere.
Sometimes even WordPress updates break form functions.
How to Check If Emails Are Actually Being Sent
Before you try to fix anything, it’s smart to confirm the issue. You can accomplish this by seeing if emails are being sent from your website at all.
Here’s how:
- To keep track of outgoing emails, use the WP Mail Logging plugin.
- Submit your contact form and check the email log.
- If nothing appears, the email was never sent.
This step helps you find out if it’s a sending or receiving problem. Your site is attempting to send the message if you see it in the log. If not, something is blocking the send process.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix the Contact Form 7 not Sending Emails
If your Contact Form 7 isn’t sending emails, don’t panic — there are reliable fixes that work for most WordPress websites. The best methods for getting emails to start sending again are listed below.
- Switch From PHP Mail to SMTP (Most Reliable Fix)
WordPress uses the wp_mail() function by default to send emails. This uses PHP’s built-in mail method. But most hosting providers block or limit this function.
That’s why emails often don’t reach you, even when the form says “Message Sent.”
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a much better option. It sends email through an actual mail server using proper login details. By doing this, your email gains credibility and is less likely to be flagged as spam.
How to Set Up SMTP:
- Install a free plugin like:
- WP Mail SMTP or
- Post SMTP
- Choose your email provider (Gmail, Outlook, Sendinblue, etc.).
- Enter your SMTP server details (host, port, username, and password).
- Set your “From Email” to match your verified domain.
These plugins often include a test email tool. Use it to confirm everything works.
- Correct Your Contact Form 7 Mail Settings
Many email issues happen due to wrong form configuration. Even one incorrect field can break email delivery.
Go to the “Mail” Tab in Contact Form 7:
- To: Enter your admin or business email (admin@yourdomain.com)
- From: Use an address like noreply@yourdomain.com — not Gmail.
- Subject: Make it clear and short (e.g., “New Contact Form Submission”)
- Additional Headers: Add Reply-To: [your-email] if using a user-input field
- Message Body: Make sure it uses correct shortcodes like [your-message]
These settings must match the fields in your form. For example, if your form has a field named [your-email], you must reference that exactly in the mail setup.
Wrong or empty fields often cause the Contact Form 7 form not sending to admin issue.
- Run a Full Email Delivery Test
Once your settings are updated, test everything. Many users think the issue is fixed just because they made changes — but unless you test it, you can’t be sure.
Steps to Test:
- Submit the form using your website’s frontend.
- Check your email inbox.
- Check your spam or promotions folder.
- If using Gmail, also look under the “Updates” tab.
If nothing is delivered to you:
- Make use of an alternative email address, such as Outlook or Yahoo.
- Try sending to a business email hosted on your domain.
- To check if the email was sent, use a plugin such as WP Mail Logging.
This helps identify if the issue is with sending or receiving.
- Solve Gmail-Specific Issues
Contact Form 7 isn’t forwarding emails to Gmail, according to many users. Gmail has strict security policies that block emails without verification.
What You Can Do:
- Create DKIM and SPF records for your domain.
- Use Google SMTP or Gmail API via WP Mail SMTP.
- Avoid sending from yourname@gmail.com unless you authenticate properly.
Gmail often blocks unverified senders. Using Gmail SMTP fixes this by sending messages through your real Gmail account.
- Avoid These Common Mistakes
Even with everything set up, a few mistakes can still break the form:
- Using free Gmail in the “From” field without SMTP.
- Not matching mail fields with form shortcodes.
- Leaving required mail fields blank.
- Having plugin conflicts (like spam blockers or security plugins).
Always double-check every setting after updates or theme changes.
These steps cover the most common and effective solutions. By following them, you can resolve nearly all Contact Form 7 sending emails issues — including when the form is submitted but no email is received.
Handling Gmail Issues and Preventing Future Email Failures
When you fix your form but emails still don’t reach Gmail, it’s frustrating. Many users face this exact issue. They say the Contact Form 7 is not sending email to Gmail even after fixing the form setup.
Let’s look at why Gmail blocks some emails and what you can do about it.
Gmail Is More Strict Than Other Providers
Gmail has strong spam protection. It checks if emails come from trusted sources. If your email looks fake or unverified, Gmail will block it or send it to spam.
Even if your form says “message sent,” Gmail may reject the email. This can happen silently — no error, no warning.
You might be using:
- A free Gmail address in the “From” field
- A domain email with no DNS records
- An SMTP setup that’s missing authentication
This causes the Contact Form 7 email not delivered problem, especially for Gmail users.
Use SPF and DKIM for Domain Verification
To send emails that Gmail accepts, your domain must be verified. Two important DNS records help with that: SPF and DKIM.
Here’s What They Do:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Notifies email providers of the servers that are able to send on your behalf.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Gives your emails a digital signature to verify their legitimacy.
In the DNS settings for your domain, add these records. Your web host or email provider (like Google Workspace or Zoho Mail) will give you the exact values to use.
This makes your messages more trusted and reduces the chance of being blocked.
Use Gmail SMTP or Google Workspace
Instead of sending emails through PHP or a third-party SMTP, use Gmail’s own servers.
Steps to Follow:
- Use the WP Mail SMTP plugin
- Choose Google / Gmail SMTP as the mailer
- Link your Google Workspace or Gmail account.
- Grant permission using Google’s secure API
This makes your emails look official and trusted by Gmail. It also helps fix the Contact Form 7 not sending to Gmail issue permanently.
Best SMTP Providers to Use for Contact Form 7
Choosing the right SMTP provider is a big part of solving your email issues. A good provider ensures your messages reach inboxes, not spam folders. If you own a business or depend on contact form inputs, this is very crucial.
Many providers offer secure delivery, email logs, and easy WordPress integration. Some of the most dependable SMTP providers for Contact Form 7 users are listed below:
- Sendinblue (Now Brevo)
Sendinblue, now called Brevo, is a trusted name in email delivery. It’s known for being beginner-friendly and affordable. For free, you can send up to 300 emails every day, which is sufficient for the majority of small websites.
It works well with WP Mail SMTP and provides easy SMTP credentials. Their dashboard also lets you track email status in real time.
Why choose it?
- Free tier available
- Supports marketing and transactional emails
- Easy to connect with WordPress
- Mailgun
Mailgun is built for developers and advanced users. It offers fast delivery and deep analytics. Although it’s a bit more technical to set up, the performance is excellent.
If you’re running a busy site or app, Mailgun can handle large volumes without delays.
Why choose it?
- High deliverability rates
- Strong API and performance tools
- Free trial includes 5,000 emails
- SMTP2GO
SMTP2GO is ideal for those who want a simple but powerful service. It offers helpful features like real-time analytics, bounce handling, and email archiving.
It’s also known for great customer support, which is useful if you’re not very technical.
Why choose it?
- Easy setup with WordPress
- Email tracking and logs included
- Strong spam protection features
- Google Workspace (Gmail SMTP)
If you’re using Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), this is a great option. Gmail SMTP is reliable, secure, and easy to use with WP Mail SMTP.
You can use your Gmail interface to send emails from your domain. This builds trust and improves deliverability, especially to other Gmail accounts.
Why choose it?
- Trusted by Gmail and Google
- Best option if you already use Gmail professionally
- Supports SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup
- Postmark (for Transactional Emails)
Postmark is designed for transactional emails — like form submissions, order receipts, and notifications. It’s lightning fast and very reliable.
While it’s a bit more premium than others, many businesses prefer it for mission-critical messages.
Why choose it?
- Blazing fast delivery
- Highly reliable for contact forms and alerts
- Detailed email activity tracking
Tips to Avoid Email Issues in the Future
Even when the issue has been resolved, you should take additional precautions to keep it from recurring.
Best Practices:
- Always use SMTP instead of PHP mail
- Match the “From” email with your domain
- Avoid using free email addresses like Gmail in the “From” field
- Check your email logs regularly
- Test your form after plugin or theme updates
These steps help you stay ahead and avoid problems with form emails.
When to Seek Expert Help
You’ve tried the fixes, but the form still won’t send emails. It might be time to seek professional assistance if it describes your circumstances.
Some problems are harder to find. They may involve server issues, advanced DNS settings, or plugin conflicts. In such cases, spending more time guessing could cost you leads or sales.
Here’s when it’s smart to get help:
- You’ve set up SMTP but still get no emails
- SPF, DKIM, and DMARC confuse you
- Emails go to spam, even with the right settings
- Your contact form breaks after theme or plugin updates
Instead of trial and error, let a professional handle it. That’s where WooHelpDesk comes in.
Conclusion
Dealing with Contact Form 7 email issues can be frustrating. However, you may resolve the issue and have your form functioning properly with the correct configuration and dependable SMTP. Avoid losing out on prospects or sales because of missing emails.
Let WooHelpDesk assist you if you’ve done everything and the issue persists. Our WordPress experts can quickly identify and fix any contact form issue — no guessing, no stress.
👉 Need expert help now? Contact WooHelpDesk and get your form emails delivered the right way.
